City of Central Falls
City Council Meeting
City Hall Council Chambers
MONDAY
February 9, 2004
6:45 p.m.
A meeting of the Central Falls City Council was held on the above date in the City Hall Council Chambers at 6:46 p.m.
Councilman Silva
Councilman Leger
Councilman Patino
Councilman Benson
Councilman Weber
Quorum Present.
Council President Robert F. Weber, Jr. presided and led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Quality Auto Repair Inc.
503 Dexter St.
20th Anniversary
Council President Weber, with the assistance of Councilman Patino, presented Quality Auto Repair a plaque for 20 years of business. Mr. Rick Aubin, Sr. was present to receive the plaque.
Certificates Congratulating Central Falls Panthers- Midget Cheerleaders 3rd Place S.W.R.I. Spirit Competition, RI State & N.E. Regional Finalist Cheerleading Competition.
Certificates Congratulating Central Falls Panthers-Pee Wees 3rd Place S.W.R.I. RI State & N.E. Regional Finalists Cheerleading Competition.
Councilman Leger presented certificates to the Panthers Cheerleaders for their 3rd place competition awards. Council President Weber congratulated the Cheerleaders on behalf of the City and all its residents.
A) Access to Public Records & Open Meeting Act
B) Chief Wilson re: Noise Ordinance
C) M.L. Marsella request for copies
D) Elizabeth A. Crowley, City Clerk to Bladez Barber Shop & Upper Cuts request to attend February 9th meeting.
E) Mayor Moreau re: Appointment of Finance Director
Motion to accept collectively and place on file was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Benson. All Agreed. So Voted.
Engagement of Auditing Firm FY 03/04-Prescott, Chatellier, Fontaine & Wilkinson
Motion to engage the auditing firm of Prescott, Chatellier, Fontaine & Wilkinson in the amount of $22,500 was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Patino.
| Councilman Leger | yes |
| Councilman Patino | yes |
| Councilman Benson | yes |
| Councilman Silva | yes |
| Councilman Weber | yes |
Motion carried 5 yes 0 no 0 absent.
Chief Thomas Wilson, Central Falls Police Department
Chief Rene Coutu, Central Falls Fire Department
Chief Wilson commented on the fiscal responsibilities of the Department. He also commented on the resource officer at Calcutt School and the difference it is making at that location. He commented on the Law Enforcement Accreditation and the process involved. He spoke of the number of calls for different crimes and how effective the department is relative to abating certain crimes.
Councilman Leger stated that there are two main issues that residents the first is speeding and the other is noise.
Chief Wilson commented on the most effective and best times for catching violators. He commented on the Pawtucket Ordinance relative to noise and asked the City Council to support and amendment to adopt the Pawtucket Ordinance.
He commented on Community Policing as well as property crimes. He gave a brief overview of the condition of the City’s fleet and developing a business handbook.
Councilman Patino commented on the Citizens Academy and commended the Chief on how well that program is working.
Council President Weber commented on the Command Center.
Mayor Moreau explained the minimum staffing requirement.
Chief Wilson elaborated on the present staffing of the Department and the problems the department is facing relative to the staffing. He also commented on minority staff members and helping to qualify them for positions on the force.
Council President Weber thanked the Chief for his comments.
Chief Rene Coutu was present and explained his staffing. He also stated that his fleet is in good shape. He stated that he is working on a grant to replace the self-contained breathing apparatus and the need to replace up to 30 units. He spoke on the newly enacted state fire codes and how it affects his department.
Council members commented on the issues of dispatching for both the Police and Fire Departments
as well as other issues facing the Police and Fire Departments.
Council President Weber thanked Chief Coutu for his time.
A) Municipal Court
D) City Clerk
Motion to accept collectively and place on file was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Patino. All Agreed. So Voted.
Mayor Moreau commented on some issues that Chief Wilson.
Anthony Tager
18 Woodland Court
Lincoln, R.I.
Mayor Moreau asked that the City Council approve the re-appointment of Anthony Tager to the post of Recreation Director. He commented on the job he has done regarding this department and he urged the Council’s approval.
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Patino and Councilman Benson. All Agreed. So Voted.
Angelo Garcia
33 Hawes St.
Central Falls, R.I.
Mayor Moreau commented on the excellent activities and programs that are part of the Channel One and the duties provided by this department head. He urged the Council to approve this re-appointment.
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Benson and seconded by Councilman Patino and Councilman Leger. All Agreed. So Voted.
Wendell Wilkie
39 Redgate Rd.
Cumberland, R.I.
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Patino. All Agreed. So Voted.
Joseph G. Nield, Jr.
3 Dorene Drive
North Smithfield, R.I.
Mayor Moreau formally introduced the appointment of Joseph Nield to the position of Director of Public Works. He commented on his qualifications and stated that he will be an asset to the City. He read some of Mr. Nield’s credentials out to the Council so they would know how fortunate the City is to have a person of this quality working for the City.
Councilman Leger commented that when he looked at this man’s resume it practically jumped out at him
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Benson and seconded by Councilman Patino. All Agreed. So Voted.
Ronald Bachand (re-appointment)
145 Cross St.
Term to expire Jan. 2007
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Patino.
All Agreed. So Voted.
Louis J. Paquette, Jr.
53 Sumner Ave.
Term to expire March 2009 (replacing the unexpired term of Albert O. Laroche)
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Benson and seconded by Councilman Patino.
All Agreed. So Voted.
Maurice Brousseau (re-appointment)
70 Pacific St.
Term to expire Aug. 2005
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Silva and Councilman Benson. All Agreed. So Voted.
Casey Andrade
33 Lewis St.
Term to expire Aug. 2005
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Silva. All Agreed. So Voted.
Jeremiah O’Connor
124 Butler Ave.
Term to expire Aug. 2004
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Benson and seconded by Councilman Leger. All Agreed. So Voted.
Richard Aubin
127 Chestnut St.
Term to expire Jan. 2007
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Patino.
All Agreed. So Voted.
Gerard Bassett (re-appointment)
31 Washington St.
Term to expire Jan. 2009
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Silva and Patino.
All Agreed. So Voted.
Joseph Azar, Jr. (re-appointment)
98 Shawmut Ave.
Term to expire Jan. 2008
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Benson and seconded by Councilman Leger. All agreed.
So Voted.
d/b/a El Chapin #3
508-510 Dexter St.
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Patino and seconded by Councilman Leger. All Agreed.
So Voted.
d/b/a Antiqua Guatemala Restaurant
744 Dexter St.
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Patino and seconded by Councilman Benson. All Agreed. So Voted.
d/b/a Bravo Supermarket
693 Dexter St.
Motion to able was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Patino. All Agreed. So Voted.
Council members commented on the taxes due on this business and asked the Finance Department to give a break-down of the taxes.
d/b/a Johnny Cash Check Cashing #3
669 Dexter St.
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Patino and seconded by Councilman Leger. All Agreed.
So Voted.
d/b/a La Fragancia Fashion
870 Dexter St.
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Patino.
All Agreed. So Voted.
Doreen Carr
RI Emergency Security Agency
712 Dexter St.
Thomas Lazieh
1072 Lonsdale Ave.
Motion to approve collectively was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Patino. All Agreed. So Voted.
Meeting recessed at 8:30 p.m.
Council President Weber reconvened the meeting at 8:45 p.m.
Jaime Velásquez
d/b/a Upper Cuts
716 Dexter St.
Lola Araujo
d/b/a Bladez Barber Shop
726 Dexter St.
Council President Weber asked Mr. Velasquez and Ms. Araujo to step forward he related the Council’s concerns about those businesses and the loud music, noise and loitering taking place at these locations. He also commented on the late hours of Upper Cuts.
Council President Weber stated that at this point the Council is giving a warning to keep patrons from loitering in front of their businesses, to make sure that there are no over limits of patrons in the establishments and to make sure that no one parks in Mr. Cruise’s lot.
Mr. Velazques commented.
Council President Weber strongly stated to the licensees that the next time their business is called before the Council there will be a hearing. He asked them to work with the owner of the building and to keep an out on the number of patrons standing in front of the building.
none
An Ordinance entitled “Fire Prevention & Protection Chapter 20-Article I Section 20-8 “Plan Review Fees.”
Public Hearing opened. No comments. Public Hearing closed.
Motion to approve was made by Councilman Leger and seconded by Councilman Benson.
| Councilman Benson | yes |
| Councilman Leger | yes |
| Councilman Silva | yes |
| Councilman Patino | yes |
| Councilman Weber | yes |
Motion carried 5 yes 0 no 0 absent.
Councilmanic Appointments-Municipal Court Judge
Council President Weber appointed Councilman Leger and Councilman Silva to do interviews of the top 3 Attorneys and to be ready with a recommendation at the February 23rd meeting.
Without objection the Council passed a Resolution of Condolence to the Family of the late Retired Central Falls Firefighter Lt.Gabriel Farraeh on motion by Councilman Leger and second by Councilman Patino.
Without objection the Council passed a Resolution on the Madeira Club Installation of Officer on motion by Councilman Leger and second of Councilman Patino.
Council President Weber commented on the fundraiser to be held on February 28th to the benefit of burn victim Mike Rabbit a long time Public Works Employee.
Motion to adjourn was made by Councilman Benson and seconded by Councilman Silva. All Agreed.
So Voted. Time 9:05 p.m.
_____________________________
Elizabeth A. Crowley, CMC
City Clerk